Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) strongly condemns the detention of graphic artist and activist Fahmi Reza over his physical satirical poster criticising the appointment of Musa Aman as Sabah Chief Minister.
His detention is not only unnecessary but also serves to intimidate and suppress public dissent.
This is further compounded by the latest warning from the police, threatening his immediate arrest under the Sedition Act should he attend the peaceful anti-corruption assembly (on 31 December).
Fahmi’s detention represents a draconian response to the exercise of freedom of expression using satire, continuing an alarming escalation of state intimidation since the 19 December investigations.
Efforts to stifle his criticism consisted of the swift removal of posters in less than five hours by Kota Kinabalu authorities, including the police, that he put up on 27 December in the city.
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The government’s persistent targeting of Fahmi Reza, despite Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s 21 December statement opposing his arrest, underscores its growing intolerance toward criticisms against the government.
Such hypocrisy has emerged before, as seen in investigations against Rafique Rashid Ali under the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) for remarks against Anwar in the Rakyat Lawan Anwar rally.
Fahmi’s detention foreshadows the worsening weaponisation of laws, including the Sedition Act and the CMA, to stifle freedom of expression and suppress critical voices – even with the recently passed CMA amendments that exclude satire and parody from being classified as ‘false’ and hence leading to prosecution.
Article 10 of the Federal Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression, which the government must respect by ceasing arbitrary restrictions on dissent.
Suaram demands Fahmi Reza’s immediate release and urges the government to impose a moratorium on the use of the Sedition Act and the CMA to curtail freedom of expression.
Sevan Doraisamy is the executive director of Suaram.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
